CPAP compliance

when did cpap become part of the dot regs? i thought it was just a company thing.

 

If safety does not back you up, get out of the truck. Find a new job if you have to.

Most cpap machines do not draw much. He could use a small plug in inverter, you don't need a 1000w inverter, if that is what is in the truck.
I'm using a fanless 175w inverter that is totally silent to power my cpap.. Love it.
(Compared to the whining beast I had)

 

Cpap is probably not part of the regs, but being treated for sleep apnea is, if you are diagnosed with it.

You don't have to use cpap if you have sleep apnea, but its not likely you will be able to keep a medical card.

 

I bet you have at least one dead cell.

 

Those aren't regulations, merely guidelines handed down by the dot that some insurance companies ran with and in turn the carriers required.

 

Its between your codriver, your safety department and the DOT medical examiner. He won't get a new medical card without showing proper compliance... that's his problem. Since there is no requirement under the FMCSRs for CPAP use, you shouldn't have any legal issues, which brings us to your carrier. I saw in a previous post that you might have some problems with them if you couldn't hook up with a codriver... is this guy going to have a problem with your safety department over this? This is the only issue I can see for you.

 

I guess my point is...when u go get a recert for medical and are required but fail to comply then u will not get a new med card therefore disqualifying you/him from a CDL

 

Actually, I thought you were going to find an outfit where you no longer had to team. Seems to me like that would be your best bet, as you seem to keep having "problem children" with your team drivers. Lets face it, some of us were just not meant to share this close a space, living and working environment with another human being. EVEN IF WE ARE MARRIED to that human being.
As for your instant problem, if you bring this to the attention of safety, and he is not removed from your truck, there will be hard feelings forevermore, and you will have more problems than ever. And yet, you have the responsibility to bring it to the attention of safety, not just for your sake, but for the sake of every other driver on the road.
It is all well and good to say that he will run into problems on down the road with his physical. But what about all those miles before that comes up? You are in a tough position here, and there really is no easy answer.
Another thing to think about, is getting the reputation with your company of being a "difficult individual to work with." You're kind of stuck between the rock and the hard place.
IMHO, the only logical solution is to go with an outfit where you don't have to team.